JUST ANOTHER DAY IN HOLLYWOOD
(A FEATURE FILM)
(Compilation of film clips to convey the tone & style of our film)
SCRIPT SYNOPSIS:
The film is a satirical comedy in the vein of Robert Altman’s “The Player” and Charlie Kaufman’s “Adaptation”. The film follows Zak, a 35 year old struggling writer, and his 45 year old “has been” actor friend, Scottie, for literally one week as they try to raise money for an Indie film. They believe this film may be their last shot at success. So, with a commercial twist like “Risky Business”, the two try to impress investors by pretending that Zak is the owner of someone else’s multi-million dollar house. They plan a quick dinner party for the potential investors which inadvertently turns into a weekend party. The events of the weekend lead Zak and Scottie into an odyssey that peels back the curtain of the “fringe crowd” in Hollywood.
The movie, though set against the backdrop of the reality of one side of Hollywood, has a universal subject matter which is about people trying to achieve success as the film tests the characters’ convictions as to how far one will go to get it. It also shows Zak and Scottie at a point in their lives where the realization that it may not happen begins to set in. It explores the themes of what line we all have drawn for ourselves that we will not cross to get what we want, and when faced with it, what choices we make. Zak, the main character, is often the cause of his own failures in the quest to be “successful”. But, his uncompromising qualities that make him often shoot himself in the foot are balanced by Scottie, who has a Zen like attitude.
“Just Another Day in Hollywood” is a film that everyone can relate to no matter what business they have tried to climb the ladder of success in, and whatever dream they have followed. The movie is also a fun and self-deprecating look at the entertainment industry where “A-list” to “D-list” people all cross paths and collide in a classic satire with a tongue and cheek look at the world they live in.
This project has a budget of $1.4M.
*Budget & Screenplay available upon request.
DIRECTOR’S VISION (Sheri Sussman):
At 18 years old, having moved from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Hollywood Blvd. to follow my dream of being a filmmaker, this film is inherently in my blood as the writer/director. It is a world I’ve lived in and all the experiences and people I’ve met throughout the years have been poured into this script.
I plan to shoot it on digital format, using the Red Camera mirroring the styles and tones of Robert Altman’s “The Player”, and P.T. Anderson’s “Boogie Nights”. The film will be stylized with shots of time lapses and quick pans but only in the sound bite and transition scenes to add texture to the film.
The actors are all masters of their craft and will be steered towards natural, realistic Woody Allen-style performances. The camera will always be positioned in the most opportune place in the scene with the objective being to make the audience feel as though they are inside the scene and a part of this world, and subsequently are at every meeting and party with our characters. The clean, glamorous look of Hollywood will be captured and every cliché’ shot of Hollywood movies will be used and spoofed, while keeping a tongue and cheek, good natured tone.
The film will maintain a comedic tone with an underlying heart and poignancy of exploring the real reasons people seek success and what motivates our main character, Zak . We will discover throughout the film that his driving force is ultimately to make his family proud and to be able to share his success with his parents while they are still alive. It is a simple, but complex story that should remain entertaining at all costs.
The music and soundtrack will be another character and landscape of the film, as the main character changes and the scene so does the style of music. The script is specifically written for opportunities for musician cameos and use of original songs to old classics.
This will be a film about those who are down on the mat, beaten and bruised, but always bounce back with positivity and good natured humanity with their priorities still intact. The message at the end for Zak and Scottie is that they haven’t lost themselves in the process of their hunt for success, and that in and of itself is some kind of success worth noting in life.
PRODUCTION TEAM
SHERI SUSSMAN
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Sheri Sussman has written, directed, and/or produced award-winning feature films, documentaries, and shorts; including the critically acclaimed independent film, "MAC ARTHUR PARK", which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Her latest short film, "SHUTTER THE DOORS" screened in Cannes at the American Pavillion Emerging Filmmakers Showcase, and was in consideration for Best Short Film Oscars 2022.
JUSTIN JANOWITZ
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Director of Photography Justin Janowitz recently shot the critically acclaimed Netflix documentary “Blood Brothers: Malcom X & Muhammed Ali”, as well as Hulu’s docuseries “City of Angels/City of Death.” He also was the DP on many episodes of the UNSOLVED MYSTERIES reboot for Netflix. He also lensed the documentary THE WIZRD, chronicling rap super-star “Future” which was released by Apple Music in 2019.
Justin’s feature films that he DP’d include: A RECKONING with Lance Henriksen (Aliens, Terminator) and ALONE WE FIGHT with Corbin Bernsen (L.A. Law, Major League, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang). Short films Justin shot have gathered acclaim and awards nationally and internationally including Oscar qualifying films: SHUTTER THE DOORS, JUSTICE FOR VINCENT, and THE GERMAN KING.
Brand clients include Cadillac, Burger King, Domino’s Pizza, Geico, Honda, Infiniti, Live Nation, LA Galaxy, SONY/NBC, and more.
CHARLES ARTHUR BERG
PRODUCER
Charles Berg has been in the entertainment industry for the past 19 years. He has come up through the ranks. He has produced over 45 full length features of all budget ranges. Most recently Charles Executive produced Rob Reiner's film "Being Charlie".
He has practical on-set knowledge. He has a very realistic approach to film making. Charles also Executive Produced,"Green Street Hooligans 2," and line produced, "American Virgin," starring Jenna Dewan and Rob Schneider. He produced films such as: "Wristcutters"; "The Berry Minkow Project" with James Caan and Ving Rhames; and "For the Love of Money".
ADAM REX
CO-PRODUCER
Adam has worked as a production coordinator on network shows such as: "NCIS: Los Angeles (CBS); "Ellen's Game of Games" (NBC); "Little Big Shots" (NBC); and "The Talk" (CBS). Adam is a partner in Spiral Gate Productions.
AUGIE HESS
EDITOR
Augie Hess is a veteran editor in the business known to work extensively for director William Friedkin, while at Paramount Pictures. Augie edited Steven Speilberg & Halle Berry’s CBS series, “EXTANT”, and is currently the editor on "NCIS: New Orleans". Augie was nominated for a Primetime Emmy for his work on “Chicago Hope” and nominated for a Cable Ace Award for his editing on the Emmy and Golden Globe winning HBO film, “12 Angry Men” directed by William Friedkin and starring Jack Lemmon, George C. Scott, James Gandolfini, and Courtney B. Vance. Along with dozens of other credits, he edited Sheri Sussman’s award winning documentary “Life in a Basket”.
CAST
KYLE KAMINSKY
"ZAK"
Kyle Kaminsky grew up in Glenview, Illinois. He always had a love for theater and music. Kyle Kaminsky is co-starring in Jordan Peele's reboot of the classic horror film "CANDYMAN" for MGM, opposite Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Teyonah Parris and Yahya Abdul-Mateen. Kyle and Sheri Sussman have collaborated on 3 films together including the proof of concept for this feature: "One Night in Hollywood".
RICK PETERS
"SCOTTIE"
Rick Peters was born in Detroit, Michigan, and is an actor with a very recognizable face and is known as an “actor’s actor”. He has appeared in several films including Mark Ruffalo’s directorial debut, “Sympathy for Delicious”, and is perhaps best known recently for his role of Elliot in “Dexter”. He received critical acclaim also for his work in the film, “Elvis meets Nixon”. His numerous appearances and roles on TV series range from “Veronica Mars” to his role as Bobby Manning in “Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye” .
INDIA EISLEY
“EMBER”
India Eisley is best known for her role as Ashley Juergens in the ABC Family drama series The Secret Life of the American Teenager. She is also known for the role of Eve (daughter of Selene and Michael Corvin) in Underworld: Awakening. Eisley and her mother, Olivia Hussey, appeared together in the film: "Headspace".
India has starred in films such as: “Kite”, with Samuel L. Jackson; "I am the Night" with Chris Pine; and "Every Breath You Take" with Casey Affleck.
India Eisley is literally the “talk of the town” as the next great actress of her generation, and the Producers are excited to have her as part of this ensemble cast of crafted actors.
IAN BUCHANAN
“JIM - INVESTOR”
Ian Buchanan was born in Hamilton, Scotland. He is an actor, known for his roles in films like Panic Room (2002), and The Seventh Sign. His television work includes iconic roles on Twin Peaks, General Hospital and Port Charles. He also is an ensemble member of The Citizen's Band, an avant-garde cabaret collective of international performance artists, reminiscent of the Weimar Era, whose acclaimed theatrical presentations deal with current and controversial political, religious and social themes. In 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 he was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor for the Emmy Award. In 1997, he won for The Bold and the Beautiful (1987). Along with being a former Ford model, at one point he was Giorgio Armani's personal fitting model for his designs.
OLIVIA HUSSEY
“FRANCINE - HOMEOWNER”
At age 15, when most young women are nurturing dreams of romance, Olivia Hussey was giving life to Juliet in Franco Zeffirelli's “Romeo and Juliet”. Her performance in one of the most celebrated roles ever written in the English language won her the Golden Globe and two successive Best Actor Donatello Awards (Italy's Oscar equivalent), an incredible achievement for an actress in only her third film.
Olivia, a seasoned veteran of the London stage where she debuted opposite Vanessa Redgrave in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie", has appeared in over two dozen films, including Death on the Nile with Bette Davis and Peter Ustinov, Jesus of Nazareth (united again with the great Zeffirelli), Last Days of Pompeii opposite Sir Laurence Olivier, Lost Horizon, The Bastard, Hallmark's Hall of Fame Ivanhoe with James Mason, Showtime's Psycho IV: The Beginning and It. From there, she landed the role of "Jenny" in "Jean Brodie". It was in that theater production that Zeffirelli spotted her. After auditioning over 500 other young actresses for the part of Juliet, he awarded the part to Olivia, and the rest, as they say, is history. Two years later, she signed on to star with Burt Lancaster and Ben Cross (Chariots of Fire) in The Jeweller's Shop, a screen adaptation of a story written by Pope John Paul II (at the time he wrote it he was called Karol Wotyla). Following the filming, Olivia was invited to view the film at the Vatican as a guest of His Holiness.
Most recently, Olivia has completed her life's dream, portraying Mother Teresa of Calcutta, a movie shot entirely on location in Sri Lanka and Italy. Her performance was received with open arms by the Sisters of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity when it was screened for them in Italy. Also present at the screening, and pleased with her portrayal, was Agi Bojaxhiu, a wonderful lady and the niece and only direct living relative of Mother herself.
MARIETTE HARTLEY
“DAWN” – STUDIO EXECUTIVE
Mariette Hartley is an Emmy Award-winning and five times nominated Best Actress. She is an enduring star on stage, in five television series, and more than a dozen feature films. She has shared the stage with notables as Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy, and Charlton Heston.
One of the last young performers chosen by MGM Studios to be groomed for motion picture stardom, Hartley conquered Hollywood in Sam Peckinpah’s classic “Ride the High Country”. Her subsequent starring roles included Alfred Hitchcock’s psychological thriller, “Marnie”, with Sean Connery and Tippi Hedron; “Skyjacked” with Charlton Heston; and “Improper Channels” with Alan Arkin, for which she was nominated for a Genie Award (Canada’s equivalent of the Oscars) for Best Performance by a Foreign Actress.
Hartley has also appeared in dozens of television projects including her recurring role on “Law & Order: SVU”. Recently she played Courtney Cox’s the mother in the FX series “DIRT”, and has guest starred on “Grey’s Anatomy”; “Cold Case”; and “Saving Grace”. Hartley is well known for her role in the TV series “Peyton Place” and for guest starring in many episodes of classic TV shows such as: “Gunsmoke”; “The Bob Newhart Show”; “The Streets of San Francisco”; “M*A*S*H”: and many more. She is also well known for those great Polaroid commercials she did for six years with James Garner, and for which she won three Clio awards.
BILLY WIRTH
"SOL"
Best known for his roles in “The Lost Boys”; “Boys on the Side”; and “Red Shoe Diaries”; Billy Wirth attended Collegiate Prep School in Manhattan and Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Discovered by photographer Bruce Weber while at Brown University, he started modeling in New York City for such magazines as Seventeen, GQ, Interview, and teen magazines. Billy has acted in studio to indie films; to roles in TV from “Sex in the City” to his recent guest starring role on “Chicago PD”.
Billy directed a short film, “Kismet”, written and produced by Sheri Sussman. Then they collaborated on his first feature film, “MacArthur Park”, for which he directed and produced. The film was screened at the Sundance Film Festival 2001 (Grand Prize nominee); Taos Talking Picture Festival (Land Grant nominee); Seattle International Film Festival 2001 as part of the Black Experience in Films, and is distributed by The Sundance Channel.
ALEXANDER MARTIN
“THOMAS”
Coming from legendary Hollywood lineage, Alexander has carved out his own acting career. He is known for his roles in “Can't Hardly Wait” with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Seth Green; “Josie and the Pussycats”, starring Tara Reid, Rosario Dawson, and Alan Cumming. He is a great addition to our ensemble cast as the film is an ode to Hollywood and Alexander and his family bring behind the scenes true Hollywood legacies to the project.
ALLA KOROT
"Gina"
Daytime Emmy award nominee, Alla Karot, emigrated to the USA with her parents, Alex and Elena Korot. Korot spent six years touring professionally with Ballet Celeste International, and was crowned California Miss T.E.E.N. at 17. She was the model for Esmerelda in Disney's "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", and she has had many guest spots on television shows.
LOCATION
SHEATS-GOLDSTEIN RESIDENCE
The Sheats Goldstein Residence is a house designed and built between 1961 and 1963 by American architect John Lautner in Beverly Crest, Los Angeles, California, just a short distance from the Beverly Hills border. The building was conceived from the inside out and built into the sandstone ledge of the hillside; a cave-like dwelling that opens to embrace nature and view. Typical of Lautner's work, the project was approached from an idea and a unique structure was derived that solved the challenges of the site.
The house has been featured in several movies, including Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, Bandits, and The Big Lebowski. Architectural articles on the house have appeared in the Robb Report, Town & Country, Architectural Digest, Azure, House & Garden, and The New York Times Magazine. It appeared in the music videos for Tracie Spencer's "It's All About You (Not About Me)", Rebecca Lynn Howard's "Forgive", Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell's "Let's Get Blown", and 2 Chainz feat. Pharrell's "Feds Watching".
LINK TO PHOTOS OF HOUSE:
http://search.aol.com/aol/image?q=sheats+goldstein+residence&v_t=webmail-searchbox
ONE NIGHT IN HOLLYWOOD
(A Short Film)
Watch Film: https://vimeo.com/120855585
Writer/Director: Sheri Sussman
Producers: Sheri Sussman/Markus Reymann
Executive Producers: Earl Lestz/Francesca von Habsburg
Editors: Augie Hess/Scott Harvey
DP: Jeffrey Norvet
Starring: Markus Reymann; Rick Peters; Ian Buchanan; Kyle Kaminsky
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/one_night_in_hollywood/
SYNOPSIS:
"One Night in Hollywood" is a short film we produced to show an example of our production team, talent, and resources. It was shot for $10k in 2 1/2 days. The short is the same premise as the feature, but a different plot, while using the same characters and dialogue that was stripped from the feature script. It screened at 14 film festivals worldwide and won 5 awards.